Northern Constabulary detection rate 'one of UK's best'

Northern Constabulary has reported an 84.2% successful detection rate across all kinds of crimes in its latest performance report.

The detection rate for serious crimes was 64.7%.

Chief Constable George Graham said there had been 20,383 crimes in its area during April to September compared with 21,437 in the same period in 2010.

Crime fell in the force's north and central divisions, but there was a rise in some crimes in the east division.

The 13% increase in reported crimes in the area, which includes Inverness, Nairn and Aviemore, was blamed on vandalism, breaches of the peace and drugs offences.

Mr Graham said the detection rates were being achieved in "challenging times".

He said: "A detection rate of 64.7% across class one to five crimes is excellent by any standards and remains one of the highest detection rates in the UK.

"This is higher even than last year's high detection rate of 61%.

"The report demonstrates that Northern Constabulary continues to drive up standards and strives to give the best possible policing service."